To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many guidance notes to (a) nurseries, (b) children's centres and (c) local authorities have been issued by his Department, its predecessors and its agencies in each year since 1997. (204129)

Local authorities, children's centres and nurseries have received a wide range of statutory and non-statutory guidance over the last 10 years. This is intended to help front-line staff understand and implement effectively their statutory duties and improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.

Since 2007 we have been keeping information on guidance sent to local authorities. In 2007 we issued 74 guidance documents and so far in 2008 we have issued 27 documents across the whole range of local authority duties and responsibilities including supporting better outcomes for children in care and other vulnerable groups, providing positive activities and opportunities for young people, and supporting better pupil attainment and progression. Information data on the number sent before this date were not routinely collected and would only be possible to find out at disproportionate cost.

Since 2003 we have issued the following guidance to Sure Start Children's Centres:

The Department has not sent any guidance direct to nurseries.